TITLE:
The Use of Data for Planning and Services Improvement in Tanzanian Primary Healthcare Facilities: Experience from Star Rating Assessment
AUTHORS:
Chrisogone C. German, Erick S. Kinyenje, Talhiya A. Yahya, Joseph C. Hokororo, Saumu Nungu, Mohamed A. Mohamed, Mbwana M. Degeh, Omary A. Nassoro, Syabo M. Mwaisengela, Radenta P. Bahegwa, Yohanes S. Msigwa, Ruth R. Ngowi, Laura E. Marandu, Michael Habtu, Eliudi S. Eliakimu
KEYWORDS:
Data Use, Health Management Information Systems, Medical Records, Tanzania, Primary Health Care
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Service Science and Management,
Vol.16 No.2,
April
28,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: The use of data for planning and improving healthcare
delivery is sub-optimal among developing countries. In 2015, Tanzania started
to implement the Star Rating Assessment (SRA) process for Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities to improve various dimensions of quality of services,
including the use of data. We aimed at assessing the extent and predictors of
data use in Tanzanian PHC facilities. Methods:We used the most current national SRA data available in DHIS2 that
was collected in 2017/2018 from all 7289 PHC facilities. A facility was
considered using data if gained 80% of the allocated scores. Other dependent
variables were the three components that together contribute to the use of data (If PHC facility has Health
Management Information Systems (HMISs) functional, disseminates information, and has proper
medical records). We determined the
association between data use and facility ownership status (public
or private), location of the facility (rural or urban), gender of the facility
in charge, and facility service level (dispensary, health centre, or hospital). Results are
presented as proportions of facilities that qualified for data use
and the three components. The associations are reported in Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)
with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI). Results: A total of 6663 (91.4%) PHC facilities met our
inclusion criteria for analysis. Among the facilities: 1198 (18.0%) had used data for planning and
services improvement, 3792 (56.9%) had functional HMIS, 1752 (26.3%) had disseminated data, and 631 (9.5%) had proper medical records.
Facilities that are publicly owned (AOR 1.23; 95% CI: 1.02 - 1.47) and those in-charges were females (AOR 1.19; 95% CI: 1.04 - 1.36) were likely to use data. Data use was likely to
increase as the level of facility increases. Conclusions: The use of
facility data for planning and services improvement in Tanzanian PHC facilities
is low, and much effort needs to be targeted at privately-owned and low-level
PHC facilities.